These ten tips to decorate your Christmas tree are designed to spark your thinking.
Whether you choose a specific idea or not, my hope is that you will be inspired to make this year's tree your most beautiful or most meaningful or most fun ever! 1.
If you have a toddler in the house, do decorate with child-proof ornaments.
Our children and grandchildren quickly learned they could play with the Christmas tree all through the holiday season.
You can use miniature stuffed animals, small stuffed angels or teddy bears.
Check each item for safety first.
Assuring yourself that your ornaments age appropriate will make for a much happier season for adults and little ones.
Who wants to spend the holidays saying "no no"? That is not fun for the grownups or the babies.
Let the little ones help decorate, too.
Don't use hooks.
But items with loops for hanging or sew on little loops.
2.
Strands of pearls are beautiful and easy to use.
These pearls can be purchased in long lengths at any of the well-known craft shops.
A simple tree with lights and pearls is stunning! 3.
If you enjoy stitching, spend the time to make small cross-stitched Chrismons.
Chrismons are Christian symbols that are usually stitched in gold on white fabric.
Frame the stitching in small round gold frames.
The little frames are inexpensive and will last for many years.
Using only Chrismons, small gold balls and mini-lights, your tree will be magnificent! 4.
Use a teddy bear theme for your Christmas tree.
Fill the tree with nothing but teddy bear ornaments.
Wrap your gifts in Teddy Bear Christmas paper.
Pua teddy bear in a child's rocking chair beside the tree.
5.
Create a tree with angel ornaments - only angel ornaments.
Try to find as many different kinds of angels as you can.
You can fill your Christmas tree with hundreds of angels.
And you will treasure the memory of that tree for years in the future and maybe even create it again.
6.
Have a beach themed tree this year.
Does your family enjoy hours on the beach? Have them collect whole sand dollars.
Bleach them and let them dry.
Add red ribbon for hanging.
A Christmas tree with red bows and sand dollars is a treasure.
Your guests will be in awe.
7.
Enjoy a memory tree.
Hang ornaments from your parent's trees of the past and mix them with your own memory ornaments.
Use only your favorites from years past and present.
One young couple buys an ornament on every trip.
Everywhere they go, the bring home a Christmas ornament.
It may feel silly to buy an ornament in mid-summer, but when Christmastime arrives, you will take all those ornaments out of the closet and remember your wonderful vacations together.
Your guests will enjoy hearing the stories, too.
8.
Are you musicians? One of the prettiest trees I have ever seen had a music theme.
Musical symbols and instruments covered the tree.
Can't you just see that in your mind's eye? Start collecting musical instrument ornaments.
You will be so happy with your musical tree.
9.
Use a Santa hat for your tree topper this year.
It adds a little whimsy and will make you smile.
10.
Fill your tree with birds.
Gather all the bird ornaments you can find.
Use glass ones, brass ones, plastic ones, feathered ones.
Just fill the tree with birds.
You can even purchase bird sounds that hang in your tree! Most of all, have fun with your Christmas tree.
Let your tree suit your family or yourself.
It does not need to look like any other tree in town.
Lighten up and enjoy the holidays with your family and friends.